Its been a busy day. Trying to set up the cameras, getting the right footage shown – it seems the screen likes to show men (they sort of sway which suit the screen, where as women seem to nod, which doesn’t suit the screen). This screen likes movement – but movement of a horizontal nature. This isolates me to two male tracks (I have shot about 35 portraits now). Lately I have just been working with what is around me – shooting with one light on a black background. The pixy display doesn’t like the shadows this causes. So, there is not a great database to choose from.
We had the work open at Lighthouse today, from 3-5pm. We had a few people through. Discussed the work. It was interesting to see everyone playing with the technology. Things worked – things didn’t – people seemed to enjoy it though – it will be interesting to see the feedback of the evaluation that starts on Wednesday.
Jamie Wyld spent a lot of time in front of the camera. Interestingly the camera interprets him as sad, and everyone else was happy. I think in the end Jamie and the computer both got happy but it took a while.
The pixy likes faces, semi -close up with sideways movement. How do you direct for that? ;). Who knows – but we have footage to work with. It will be nice to see the second screen up and running. See more group interaction or contagion.
Jane and Karl were in again today – its been great having them about to discuss ideas with. Jane has been posting to the blog as well.
Michael from Fabrica gallery came in – we discussed the work -= how to move ahead. It will be a busy week of testing, further building and getting a balance that suits Natacha and Michael and myself.
We had the work crash three times today. Not a good start. It seems to be something with the mind reading technology and the Pixy screen. I have sent it on to Jeff to hve a look at.
Jeff has send back the secondary screen option – so we can run two screens from the one computer. I will install it tomorrow. I haven’t heard from Gordon, but i am hoping we will have two screens to look at tomorrow.
Had a discussion with Natacha and Michael – about what they want out of this collaboration – about how they see things extending the screen.
Camera placement is still an issue. Its like you should walk around with it. And maybe this is something that could work, but it can’t… We need the lighting to follow you around as well. In my search for more naturalistic and fluid interaction I seem to have reached a few problems.
